5 Natural Skincare Essentials to Protect Your Pretty: The Mexico Edition

Alternate title: Natural Products That Keep Your Melanin Activated and Lit AF! 

Because it’s all sexy and fun in the sun until somebody gets burned (or eaten by mosquitos).  

As some of you may have heard I’ve take an extended stay abroad and am currently residing in Mexico. And one of the things I noticed almost immediately on every tour booking site was the encouragement to wear biodegradable sun block and repellant when entering a cenote or the ocean water.  

Being the naturally curious, tree-hugging do-gooder that I am, I immediately set out to investigate where I could acquire these biodegradable products. My search led me to a local spot called Bio & Organico. There are several locations near 5th Ave. here in Playa del Carmen. The one that I wandered into is managed by a very lovely local woman named Gabrielle.

Initially, I was debating between two different sun tanning oils—‘cause, you know, gotta practice safe melanin activation. And a good tanning oil, I’ve found, often helps to get a nice evenly baked coloring. Coco Bronze artisanal oil I settled on. It smells delish-- like coconut and vanilla. It's got a slightly heavy consistency and glides on without getting oil splatters everywhere. 

For days when I’m not lying commando on my patio, but hitting the pavement in search of a strong wifi connection, I rely on Organicos Riviera Maya which has an SPF of 80. While the local temps seem to vacillate between 75-84 during the day—which is actually not that hot (given all the time I spent in the sweltering, soupy Georgia sun… let me tell you something… the sun down here by the equator is a completely different beast. The atmosphere may feel nice and breezy, but the sun actually feels ten time closer, which is why these times call for extra due diligence with one's skincare. I have never left the house without my sunscreen since I’ve been here. Not once. And if you don’t think melanin can burn, you’d be wrong. I know from experience from my time basking in Turks and Caicos, and that time I left with a 6-month tan acquired in Puerto Rico. It can happen to you.

That’s why I’m taking a moderate approach to tanning while in Mexico. I’m going with a slow build, since I plan to be here for a while. I go for a short, nude bake with the tanning oil from the neck down for about 15 minutes a couple of times a week. However, this does not include my weekly beach and outdoor excursions, during which time I use the sunblock with the maximum amount of SPF that I have in my possession. 

Many thanks to Gabrielle at Bio & Organico, who took the time to not only explain the product ingredients, but also dropped a little knowledge about the supply and demand of clean, biodegradable products, and the importance of not polluting the beautiful turquoise waters with your garbage skincare products. She didn’t really say garbage, I did. Because to be honest—the insect repellant that I brought with me (Off, with mucho chemicals) turned out to be trash because I definitely got a few bites before switching over to the locally recommended brand, Repelente.

To be honest, I was a bit skeptical about using a repellant that was basically only essential oils, but I figured I couldn’t get eaten anymore that I had with what I was initially using, so I figured I mine as well give it a try. I haven’t gotten one bite ever since—even on my day trip to the jungle in Sacbe (photo essay/vlog coming soon). Glory!   

Because Gabrielle was so knowledgeable and helpful, I decided to implore her to tell me (and now you) more about the three products I’m currently using in heavy rotation:

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my tried and true products that I brought with me (plus one honorable mention).

Supergoop has been a favorite of mines ever I decided last summer that I needed to get super serious about my skincare. I’ve been a strong proponent for the use of sunscreen since my early twenties. However, I recognize that in order for sunscreen to remain effective, you MUST reapply it after so many hours. And anyone who applies a face full of makeup daily OR even just the perfect brow and mascara for the day knows good and well you are not about to wash your face just to reapply some damn sunscreen. Insert the holy grail that is spray on, SPF 50, mattifying sunblock, Supergoop. 

This stuff does double duty as a setting spray and sunblock. Say whaaaat? Yes, girl. Both! Literally, all you have to do is blot, close your eyes, spray and go. That’s it. No messy, hard to rub in, ghostly white cast—none of that. AND they even sell a purse size *does praise dance*. Trust me when I say that this stuff is thee jam. Now—I only recently started using setting spray, but I guess the idea is that it's supposed to keep your makeup from running all over the place and transferring onto clothing. Full disclosure—Supergoop will keep your makeup from running, yes. The whole stopping it from transferring thing—not so much.

To me, this is a minor thing, because I don’t use a ton of makeup in the daytime when it’s hot. Really, just primer, maybe concealer, brows, mascara and a lippie. I’ll throw in some bronzer/highlighter and eyeliner if I’m feeling fancy. That’s it. To its credit, I still use this product religiously in other milder seasons, with very minimal accidental makeup transferring. So, Supergoop is A1 in my book. Plus, for you serious makeup addicts, I know for a fact you all already have the good setting sprays in your arsenal, so I think you’ll be fine to use this for what it is intentioned for—and that is sun protection.

Now, my second fave to the mattifying spray -- which is the Supergoop body oil sunblock, which boasts an SPF of 50. The Lord and sun gods know how I love a body oil. Slather me down, and shine me UP, baby. I want to glisten like the light of ten thousand suns. To me, this is the perfect beach or pool accompaniment that allows you to glisten, without fear of burning.

Both products can be purchased from Sephora.com, and you can sometimes find them in your local brick and mortar. Helpful hint: If you go to a ground store, and it’s not in stock, have them order it for you right there online and get free shipping. This is how I purchase all of my Jurlique products—which are only available in select stores. <--- Review coming soon!

Finally—my honorable mention:

For the love of summer, The Body Shoppe's Honey Bronze has been my ride or die body oil for some years now. Although it has zero protection or repellant... it is 100% guaranteed to have that tan blinging like 24k gold. Just slater it on top of whatever you're using for protection, and I mean... the proof is right here:

Before Honey Bronze

After Honey Bronze... notice the glow up...? Yes, it's real

So... if you have any plans to escape the winter like I did, be sure to look into grabbing you some Supergoop and Bodyshop bronzer for the win. Then, when you get to wherever the warm winds take you-- I'd advise you to get to the nearest natural food store in the local area and seek out some regionally local biodegradable body products similar to the ones mentioned here. If you happen to be in the Playa del Carmen area, you can get the first 3 products mentioned at any Bio & Organico store-- we like the one between 40th & 42nd Norte. Be sure to tell them we sent ya!  

So that’s it my loves! Leave me a comment or hit me on social to let me know what are your tried and true sun protectants and insect repellants from abroad at stateside? And remember, protecting your skin is a year-round task. Just because you can see the sun doesn't mean its UV rays can't see you. Step your sunscreen game up and protect all of that pretty! See you around!

How to Set Intentions in the New Year

The last days of 2016 were highly emotionally charged and I've been deep in my feelings doing a lot of self-reflecting. I had a huge blow out with someone I really respect. And a SUPER difficult time with someone I deeply love. There was shouting, cursing, harsh words, tears (theirs and mine), the whole shebang. I was challenged to show restraint {and #compassion} in a way that was both surprising and a little uncharacteristic of me. ESPECIALLY when I feel that my point is justified, or that I'm on the right side of the matter. Honestly, it caught me off guard-- both the situation and my reaction. There are two things that I'm normally good for: this attitude and these hands. Come at me sideways and you're bound to catch one. This sweet face & easygoing #spirit has been the source of plenty stunned faces & shattered #egos. But JUST a few nights ago I made a promise to myself to do my best to be led with a spirit of love in the new year. And the #universe was like, worrrrrd?!?! Let's see. 🤔 *Starts forest fire* 🔥🔥🔥🔥

Real life, I want to be transparent about this walk, and that it's not always incense and candlelight (another burn reference, lol). I'm #passionate af-- I get mad, I cuss, I lose my patience; hurt my feelings and I'll ignore a person from now until forever like they never existed (I'm working on this, ok dammit). In other words, I'm not immune to the #human condition of emotion. I've been burning a lot lately-- candles, sage, intentions, you name it. This week has been a win because I chose to stoke the fire, in spite of the burn. I chose forgiveness. I chose not to attack or defend. I chose to not to attach my self-worth to the opinions and angry words of others. In other words, I chose #love.

That's one of my main big intentions in 2017, to move with love in the things that I say and do and with how I react. Many of the things I want for myself aren't resolutions, in fact they're not even necessarily tangible goals. In addition to being more loving, I intend to do things, have experiences and live in a way that makes me feel more vivacious, secure, fully-realized and free. That's it, 5 guiding principles for my year. I go into detail here in this vlog about how I plan to cultivate more of these things in my life. But for now, let's start with how I prepare myself to set intentions and create space to receive.

Step 1: De-clutter

I've been making it a point to energetically and physically clear out the clutter in my space. I'm the type of person who functions best in an orderly environment so de-cluttering is a must anytime I get ready to take on something new. I start by giving away or getting rid of excess clothes from my closet, throwing away paper and magazines that I don't need and are taking up space, discarding mostly empty product bottles, etc. You can start by taking a look around your space and figuring out what needs to go. This is a great way to make room for that what you desire or need.

Step 2: Burn some sage

Sage is long known to help rid your space of any negative energy, so smudge away. Smudge your room, your creative space, smudge yourself. This will help you shed the negative.

Step 3:  Identify what your core needs and how you want to feel in your life at the moment.

I like to think of this as taking inventory and asking myself what would I like to experience more of on a day to day basis. I highly recommend The Desire Map by Danielle LaPorte to help get this process started.  One thing she pointed out in the book was that once you get your core desires out, notice which ones are tied to longings that are predicated on the involvement of or attention from other people. Your core desires are about you. This work is for you, to be done by you, and there's nothing anyone can do for you or give you 100% of themselves 24/7 to substitute for your own love, respect, admiration-- whatever you identify as a core desire. It all starts with you first, and must be something that you can find a way to give to yourself if you are to truly be fulfilled.

Step 4: Meditate

Put the books down, drop everything and meditate. Give your developing intentions time to marinate. I like to take a couple of days between when I start writing things out so that I can come back to them and make addendums and edits to my initial reactions. I cannot over-state the benefits of a solid meditation practice on a day-to-day basis, not just when you are creating intentions. You may find that other feelings will start to surface and show themselves to you. These are signs from deep within that want to be seen, heard and acknowledged. Pay attention to them. See the post here for more on how to get started. Your mind and spirit will thank you.

Step 5: Write it down and burn it.

This is where a good journal or resource like desire mapping comes into play. I use(d) both, but I always go back to sticky notes that I put in places where I know I will be reminded. If you live alone post them in places that are visible to you. If you live with others and want this rev(Love)ution to take place quietly, do like I do and put the notes in private spaces, like your wallet or jewelry box or other spaces where others won't come across it. 

While I keep notes to myself around, when I first lay out what my intentions are, I initially burn them to purify my desires. You can also write special words on a candle and burn it. I'm a fire sign. And though I don't follow astrology, I wonder if maybe this has something to do with my obsession to burn things, like candles, even when I'm not intention setting. I just find fire-- whether it's in a fireplace or a bonfire really soothing, especially in the winter months.

So, that's pretty much my process. It's really based on focusing in on and clarifying how I want to feel, then distilling those feelings according to how my spirit leads and shows me where to focus in on. Let me know in the comments how you set your intentions for a successful, prosperous and spiritually fulfilling New Year.

Luxe at L'Occitane

*While supplies last

Continuing with the recent theme of self-care for the season, I had the opportunity to hang out at L'Occitane, Emeryville for a holiday Pamper Party hosted by my soul sistar and business bestie, Bijoux of Fabulous & Grounded. 

There was wine on deck, courtesy of Rosenblum Cellars and guests were treated to a complimentary Sleep Elixir tea blend from The Sassy Nation, mini facials and hand massages while learning about skincare. The staff in the store are super knowledgeable and help both men and women with varying skincare needs find customized regimens.

Fabulous & Grounded had some beautiful, dressed Oshun Winter Solstice candles and manifestation journals for sale, which you can purchase here. Check out the pics below, and be sure to stop by if you're ever on Bay Street. Ask for Gerald and tell him we sent you!   

{For a limited time, get a FREE Sleep Elixir tea pack when you subscribe to The Sassy Nation}

10 Ways to Lay Low and Boss Up This Winter

Winter and I have a love-hate relationship. I've only recently (literally the last 2-3 years) been able to reconcile my disdain for the cold. Instead of focusing on the chill in the air and my lack of motivation to go outside, I've found that the countless hours indoors make winter the perfect time to obsessively pour over new ideas and and set plans into motion for the next quarter. I don't mind spending 12 hours a day researching, designing, or creating new content-- because where am I going in the dead of winter at dark:30 anyhow? Usually no place-- that's where. 

A downside of all of that obsession is the occasional brain fog because of information or sensory overload. I know it's time to step away when my thoughts start to become scattered and I feel like I'm just working myself into a frenzy of circles. Here are a few things that I do to counterbalance myself when my obsessions start to take over my life, threaten my sanity and turn me into a moody, non-getting-dressed zombie. 

Plan for the Future

The end of the year is the perfect time to reflect on all that you accomplished over the past year, and think about where you want to go in the coming months. The future comes one day at a time, so it's good to have an idea about where you're gonna be, and what you want or need to have accomplished in the next couple of days, weeks and months. Your plans can and often do change, but sketching it out makes for a good roadmap when things get twisted and turned around. I personally love a good checklist from day to day. For me, there's no better feeling than checking off accomplishments on a daily basis. It really helps me to put things into perspective when I'm down on myself about doing more or making "better progress" when I'm able to look back on week's worth of tasks and see that I made 20 steps (even if they're small ones) in the direction towards of the life of my dreams.

Do Something Creative

Whether you're grinding it out at a 9-5, working on building a brand, a business or launching a product, it's easy to start to get tunnel vision when working on a project that's super important to you. That's why giving yourself a break and taking time to do something fun, and non-work related can do wonders to recharge your batteries. Break out the paint, make some candles, take up knitting or whatever else you fancy. Any diversion from a non-stop grind can do wonders for your productivity when you feel like you've hit a wall.

Move That Body

I'm not the workout buff that I once was. However, I do recognize the need to workout the kinks that inevitably set in after hours typing and clicking away furiously at the computer. My preferred form of movement is yoga, and some times a fast dance break if I'm short on time. Crossfit may be your thing or maybe it's Tai Chi. Hey, do your thing. Exercise, in general is great for a good release of endorphins-- you know, the feel good hormone? And you'll probably find that your ability to focus will be way sharp when you make time to move that butt.

Treat Yo'self to a Spa Day

This is probably one of my favorite ways to rejuvenate my mind and body that's guaranteed to put me in a good frame of mind to go at my goals. A day at the spa is the ULTIMATE reset. I especially have a fondness for bathhouses where I can luxuriate for hours, and dip in and out of the sauna, or mineral bath between services. If I'm in my own city, the bathhouse is like a mini staycation (and don't let it be a 24 hour joint-- I'm setting up shop for the night). And anytime I go out of town I'm always checking for a place where I can go be naked (hopefully) and unwind.   

Create a Vision Board

Vision boards are for dreamers and doers like you! My personal love for vision boarding on Pinterest CANNOT be overstated. I used to create actual physical boards, but for me, Pinterest is like vision boarding on crack. I have a board dedicated to every thing that I consider important in life, from art to books to business to recipes to my future mommyhood plans. If you want to really know me and what life I'm about, the heart of The Sassy Nation is all up on Pinterest. For visual folks, like myself, vision boarding is a great outlet to project ones desires into the universe, then have a space to go revisit those dreams often.

Read

Whether you read to learn something or for sheer pleasure, reading is something that you can do when you want to escape your life for 15 minutes or several hours at a time. I'll never forget the day I realized that I actually could read and understand concepts in the adult world and not just my little collection of See Jane Run books. My little 6 year old mind was blown and my long-term love affair with books (and great escapes) was set into motion. Books and I had some off seasons where I just neglected to make time for my love, but last year I set a goal for myself to read 1 book per month, which led to 1 book per week-- and just like that books and I were back in love again. Reading make travel through time and the minds of so many fascinating people and worlds completely possible. And because I don't finish books that don't hold my attention, I've haven't read anything that I've regretted in years. If something isn't jamming with me I simply put it down and move on to something else more deserving of my time and attention. 

Take an online class or tutorial

One of the great joys of the Internet world, to me, is the ability to learn online. Like, literally-- anything your want to access is there for your consumption and dendrite growing pleasure. I can spend hours on Youtube watching dope makeup tutorials, or learning how to operate my new camera. When I decided to get serious about building and customizing websites, I went right to an online learning platform, and in a couple of days I know how to set my joint up from scratch the way a web developer would do it. Online course content is a friend to the introverted nerd that is accessible right from the comfort of your own home. And you never know, you just might learn something that you can connect back to that project or life goal that you've committed yourself to.

Give Back

Sometimes we can get so busy working to make our lives better, it's easy to forget that connection with others outside of our immediate circle is a necessary, fulfilling part of life. It's good to get out of our little bubbles and do-good in the world. Whether you're doing mission work at your church, volunteering for a local organization or simply clearing out your closet to donate gently used items, giving to others feels amazing and takes the focus off of self and whatever you're currently wrapped up in. I used to play this game where I'd look for opportunities to pay kindness forward without ever mentioning it to others or expecting anything in return. I'd most often do stuff for strangers, and in secret whenever possible, because I knew there was very little chance that they could thank me or attempt to repay the gesture. I found that to be deeply satisfying knowing that I planted a seed of kindness and hopefully spread a little light into the world. 

Spend Time with Someone You Love

One of my favorite things to do is a bunch of nothing with friends. There's something about just being in close proximity of another person, the bestie or a lover, and just chillaxing. If you're at the house, naps are a perfectly acceptable way to bond-- wine and meaningful conversation is also encouraged. If I have to go out, a late brunch is a surefire way to lure me into the cold. Nothing says chill mode like syrupy waffles and mimosas with good company. Whatever you and your peeps like to do, doing it together makes things all the more better.

Pick up a hobby

Is there something that you used to love to do but don't make the time for anymore? A hobby can be a fun diversion from your everyday grind. Who says you're too old to play the clarinet? When did putting together model cars become unimportant to you? Hobbies are like playtime for adults. And exactly when is the last time you did something just for the fun of it? A hobby is just that-- something that you can, and should do for pure enjoyment, then just watch your mental roadblock when it comes to more serious tasks crumble away.  

Winter is the perfect time to lay low and get sh*t done. However, in order to sustain one's focus and work at a high-level, knowing how and when to lay low is essential to bossing up. 

4 Rituals for Self-Care at the Spring Equinox

Spring is officially here, finally. I took advantage and snuck away for part of the afternoon to chill out at one of my fave honeycomb hideouts. Admittedly, I felt a bit guilty because I have a fairly huge, looming deadline in the coming weeks that I've been obsessively working towards.

I think this must be a symptom of being a writer. I know whenever I have a major project deadline I get super tunnel vision and barely allow myself time to do much of anything else away from my computer. However, I'm well aware of the necessity of balance and one of my personal goals is to allow time for myself, even in the midst of a chaotic schedule or mounting work.

The spring equinox is the perfect time for a pause. So, here are a few ways that we {you & I} can honor the coming of all things fresh and new at the equinox. 

1. Spend some time in or near water-- one of the ultimate soothing elements. I love a good detox bath, swims in the lake, floating in the pool, lying on the beach, and lately-- going to the hot springs. Afterwards I feel relaxed, re-centered and ready to focus.

2. The start of each new season, not just spring, is a great time to reflect and rebalance yourself. If you keep a journal, you can use it to go back and review how things have unfolded in your life over the past few months in the last season, and set some new goals for the new. If you don't keep a journal, you can still set aside some time to write down your heart's desires and plant a seed for what you'd like to manifest in the coming months.

3. Feed yourself delectable, fresh foods. Nothing energizes you like food that make your body and spirit feel bright and alive. Check out your local farmer's market to see what's in season that you can bring home to cook or support a farm to table restaurant in your neighborhood to get the best of the season's local bounty.

4. Unplug from the world. This springtime equinox happens to coincide with Earthhour. For one hour from 8:30 PM-9:30 PM, people across the globe will unplug from all non-essential light sources. The event is held annually at the end of March "as a symbol for a commitment to the planet... [and the aim] is to encourage an interconnected global community to share the opportunities and challenges of creating a sustainable world." We support any and every opportunity to light some candles and enjoy solitude.

Whatever you do this Spring Equinox make sure you are good to yourself.